Luke 20:16
He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
Original Language Analysis
ἐλεύσεται
He shall come
G2064
ἐλεύσεται
He shall come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
1 of 16
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
2 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπολέσει
destroy
G622
ἀπολέσει
destroy
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
3 of 16
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δώσει
shall give
G1325
δώσει
shall give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
8 of 16
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Luke 19:27But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.Acts 13:46Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.Matthew 21:41They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
Historical Context
This prophecy was literally fulfilled. In 70 AD, Rome destroyed Jerusalem and the temple after the Jewish revolt. The religious system centered on temple sacrifice ended permanently. The vineyard—representing God's covenant people and kingdom—was indeed given to "others": the church composed of both Jews and Gentiles. The gospel went to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). Paul explained that Gentiles were grafted into Israel's olive tree (Romans 11:17-24), inheriting the promises through faith in Jesus.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the transfer of the vineyard to others demonstrate that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by human rebellion?
- What does the crowd's "God forbid" reveal about recognizing truth without acting on it?
- How should the sobering reality that God will accomplish His purposes with or without us shape our faithfulness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid—Jesus pronounces the judgment: the owner will "come" (ἐλεύσεται, eleusetai, indicating future certainty) and "destroy" (ἀπολέσει, apolesei, utterly ruin) the wicked tenants, giving the vineyard to "others" (ἄλλοις, allois). The destruction is complete and just—they forfeited stewardship by murdering the heir. The "others" prophetically indicates the gospel's extension to Gentiles (Acts 13:46, Romans 11:11-24).
The crowd's response—"God forbid" (μὴ γένοιτο, mē genoito, literally "may it not be!")—reveals horror at the implication. Either they recognize that Israel's rejection of Messiah will bring judgment, or they reject the notion that God would transfer His covenant promises to outsiders. Their reaction shows they've grasped the parable's meaning: Jesus is the Son, the leaders are the wicked tenants, and judgment is coming. Yet mere recognition without repentance changes nothing.